Perez headlines ‘Battle on Beach Street’

Tools

It’s been nearly 10 years since boxing fanatics in San Francisco have been able to witness a live championship bout.

Back on Nov. 11, 2001, five-time world championship and future Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought for the Super Featherweight World Championship — a card that also featured icon Manny Pacquiao when the Filipino was fighting for the Super Bantamweight Championship.

Golden Boy Promotions consultant and matchmaker Don Chargin is looking to get San Francisco excited about boxing again, as he’s promoting his second event in two months, “Battle on Beach Street,” showcasing a slew of local prizefighters at the Longshoremens Hall at Fisherman’s Wharf tonight.

In a city that has deep boxing roots, Chargin — a Hall of Fame promoter and matchmaker whose been around the fight game 51 years — co-promoted the 1962 middleweight championship bout between Dick Tiger and Gene Fullmer at Candlestick Park.

“I’ve been wanting to bring boxing back here for a long time,” said Chargin, a promoter at Don Chargin Promotions. “San Francisco has great boxing history, and I believe it can thrive here once again.”

Salinas native Eloy Perez (20-0) headlines the event against Alejandro Rodriguez (12-1), as local boxers Joe Gumina, Jonathan Chicas, Juan Hernandez and Bruno Escalante fill out the card, which is being televised on Telefutura.

“A lot of the old-timers are happy that this event is being put together,” Chagrin said. “These fighters on the card also have good followings. We hope this can become a staple in this city.”

The sport of boxing itself has struggled to snag the headlines it once garnered in America, as fights fans have wanted to see haven’t been put together. Chargin believes the sport is far from dead, especially in San Francisco.

“It’s a lot to be excited about in boxing because there is lot of good local talent out here,” Chargin said. “This market gets behind their fighters and in return we get good turnouts.”